Little Mattie Campground
White River National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Carbondale, CO, CO
Price: From $29 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (50 reviews)
Season: May through October
Located approximately 14 miles eat of Basalt, CO, in the White River National Forest, Little Mattie Campground is situated on the Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7800 feet. Sites are open to the starry nighttime skies and access to the lake and trails. It sits amid a mixed conifer forest and offers an ideal setting for guest seeking recreation and relaxation.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/little-mattie-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Little Mattie Campground offers a peaceful, wooded setting on Ruedi Reservoir at 7,800 feet elevation with access to fishing, boating, and hiking trails. Campers consistently praise the quiet atmosphere, spacious sites, and beautiful natural surroundings.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions, elk (wapiti), golden-mantled ground squirrels, and bald eagles present in the area—use bear boxes provided and practice wildlife safety.
Insider tips for Little Mattie Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground with only 18-19 sites. RV maximum length is 30 feet; most sites lack hookups, so arrive self-contained. Fish directly off the bank near campsites for easy trout access. Sites are wooded and open to starry skies—bring a headlamp and enjoy night sky viewing.
Skip Little Mattie Campground if: You need RV hookups—most sites have none despite electric hookup amenities listed.. You require year-round camping—seasonal closure November through April.. You prefer developed campgrounds—this is a rustic forest service facility with vault toilets only..
Best time to visit Little Mattie Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.. June-August — Peak season for water activities and fishing on Ruedi Reservoir..
Nearby campgrounds: Little Maud Campground (Carbondale, CO), Ruedi Marina Campground (CARBONDALE , CO), Dearhamer Campground (CARBONDALE, CO), Chapman Campground And Group (Carbondale, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Little Mattie Campground
Cell signal at Little Mattie Campground (Carbondale, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Located approximately 14 miles eat of Basalt, CO, in the White River National Forest, Little Mattie Campground is situated on the Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7800 feet. Sites are open to the starry nighttime skies and access to the lake and trails. It sits amid a mixed conifer forest and offers an ideal setting for guest seeking recreation and relaxation.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 18-19 sites.
RV maximum length is 30 feet; most sites lack hookups, so arrive self-contained.
Fish directly off the bank near campsites for easy trout access.
Sites are wooded and open to starry skies
bring a headlamp and enjoy night sky viewing.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Peak season for water activities and fishing on Ruedi Reservoir.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Take I-70 west of Denver to Glenwood Springs Exit 116, Highway 82 to Basalt. At Basalt, take Frying Pan Road 15 miles to the Ruedi Complex Entrance.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — White River National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at White River National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Little Mattie Campground cost per night?+
What season is Little Mattie Campground open?+
Does Little Mattie Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Little Mattie Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Little Mattie Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Little Mattie Campground?+
What season is Little Mattie Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.